South Africa, Ancient Egypt & Victoria Falls: A 25-Day Tour with International Flights & Nile River Cruise

Please note: This tour is 25 days long but includes two days in transit. The following itinerary only features the 23 days on the ground.

DAY 1 - Depart for South Africa

Today you will depart Australia and board your connecting. flight to South Africa

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DAY 2 - Arrive in Cape Town

Arrive in Cape Town, undeniably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. As you transfer to your hotel, you’ll see the towering Table Mountain – creating a majestic ambience over the city. The rest of the day is at your leisure in this magnificent seaside city.

Overnight: Cape Town

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DAY 3 - Cape Peninsula Tour

Depart on a full day Cape Peninsula Tour with lunch along the way. Drive to Cape Point at the southwestern tip of the Cape Peninsula, passing steep mountains, secluded coves, and sweeping beaches along the way. After a stop at the fishing village of Hout Bay, one of Cape Town’s best-kept secrets, continue to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, comprising over 17,300 acres of indigenous flora and fauna. Here, you may see baboons by the roadside, rheboks, cape mountain zebras, bonteboks and the elusive eland. The native plant life, known as fynbos, forms one of only six floral kingdoms in the world.

Following the coastline along False Bay, return to Cape Town after lunch by way of Simon’s Town. Here, visit the penguin colonies at the famed Boulders Beach and continue with a scenic drive over Muizenberg Mountain. Stop off at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, resting at the foot of Table Mountain, for a short walking tour of the beautiful gardens before arriving back in Cape Town. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your Tour Manager and fellow travellers

Overnight: Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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DAY 4 - Cape Town City Tour & Robben Island

After a leisurely breakfast depart on a half day Cape Town city and Table Mountain tour. Driving to the city centre, pass famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope built in 1666 by the Dutch East India Company, City Hall - a splendid baroque building - and of course the Grand Parade. See St. George’s Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The route then leads to Kloof Nek and the magnificent Table Mountain.

Ascend to the top (weather permitting) by means of a cable car*. At the summit, see wildflowers, the famous silver tree, and marvel at a birds-eye view of the city and its stunning beaches. On a clear day, it is even possible to see Robben Island - where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned - on one side, and Cape Point on the other. Descend from the upper cableway station and proceed to Cape Town’s famous V & A Waterfront for time at your leisure and lunch on your own.

Following free time, take a ferry across the Bay to Robben Island, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A tour of historic Robben Island** today, reveals the poignant struggles, hopes, and dreams of freedom made famous by Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment here. This notorious prison, located on an island off the coast of Cape Town in Table Bay, is where South Africa’s political prisoners were kept during the colonial and apartheid years of the country. Tour the island and the infamous prison before returning to Cape Town in the late afternoon for time at your leisure.

Tonight, experience local culture in a relaxed and comfortable environment at the optional Home Hosted Dinner.

*Table Mountain Aerial Cableway will be closed between Jul 22 - Aug 11, 2019

**The operation of the Robben Island ferry is dependent on weather and sea conditions. If the ferry is cancelled, the visit to Robben Island will be replaced with alternate sightseeing.

Optional: Home Hosted Dinner in Cape Town

Overnight: Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast

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DAY 5 - Cape Town

Enjoy the day at your leisure in Cape Town. Perhaps join the optional Winelands Tour* which takes you along the country’s principal wine route to the scenic towns of Paarl, Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch with cellar door tastings along the way. Alternatively, thrill seekers will not want to miss the optional excursion to “Shark Alley” to experience great white shark cage diving*.

*The Full Day Winelands Tour and Full Day Great White Shark Cage Diving operate simultaneously. Passengers may opt to participate in only one of these tours

Optional: Full Day Private Winelands Tour

Optional: Full Day Great White Shark Cage Diving

Overnight: Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast

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DAY 6 - Flight to Durban & Game Viewing Cruise on the St. Lucia Estuary

This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Durban. Upon arrival in the early afternoon, drive to St. Lucia. Later, embark on a game viewing cruise that takes you on the St. Lucia Estuary. This tidal estuary is home to Nile crocodiles, hippopotami, sea turtles and even sharks; making it a fascinating and uniquely diverse ecosystem.

This evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Hluhluwe

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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DAY 7 - Game Drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve & Travel to eSwatini

After an early breakfast, travel to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhinos. Home to Africa’s “Big Five,” you may have a chance to see elephants, Cape buffalos, lions, and leopards, in addition to rhinos during your morning game drive through the reserve. The park also boasts warthogs, crocodiles, and antelopes.

Following the safari, continue to the border of the Kingdom of eSwatini*. This independent kingdom within the borders of South Africa is known for its lovely scenery and vibrant indigenous culture. Stop at a handicraft market this afternoon before arriving in your hotel in the early evening.

*eSwatini is an independent country from South Africa and therefore has different entry requirements. Non-US passport holders are responsible for checking if a visa is required for eSwatini in addition to all other countries on their itinerary

Overnight: eSwatini

Meals: Breakfast

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DAY 8 - eSwatini Sightseeing & Matsamo Village Visit

After breakfast visit the Ngwenya glass factory, where visitors can watch talented glass blowers create a range of enchanting African animals, birds, and fish, as well as tableware, made from recycled glass that is collected by the children of eSwatini.

Transfer to the South African border and visit Matsamo Cultural Village where you can learn more about the Swati traditions and customs. Enjoy traditional dance and song performances with authentic African instruments as well as traditional Swati cuisine. You may wander through the village with its many traditional huts and interact with the locals.

Continue to the hotel where you will enjoy dinner.

Overnight: Hazyview

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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DAY 9 - Kruger National Park Game Drive

The day begins at dawn with coffee, tea, and rusks - a South African dry biscuit. Upon departure from the hotel, a pre-packed breakfast will be provided for you. Then, on to Kruger National Park for a thrilling full-day, open-vehicle game drive. Larger than the state of Connecticut, the park offers some of the best game and wildlife viewing opportunities in the world, and early morning is an optimal time of day for a drive. You may have a chance to see lions, elephants, giraffes or zebras in their natural habitat.

After stopping at a rest camp for lunch, continue your game drive. With any luck, you may even see cheetahs and leopards. After the day’s excitement, relax by the pool followed by dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Hazyview

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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DAY 10 - Panorama Route to Johannesburg

Depart after breakfast and travel to Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country,” driving the spectacular “Panorama Route.” Stop to admire the vistas and amazing scenery along the 16-mile-long Blyde River Canyon, cut deep into red sandstone. Pass God’s Window (weather permitting) - a breathtaking vista at the edge of the escarpment overlooking Kruger National Park. Visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes, a series of waterfalls and distinctive rock formations created by countless millennia of water erosion before reaching Johannesburg this evening.

Overnight: Johannesburg

Meals: Breakfast

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DAY 11 - Soweto Tour

After an early breakfast depart on a half day tour of Soweto. Experience a fascinating glimpse of the bustling neighbourhood life - the most metropolitan township in the country – that sets trends in politics, fashion, music, dance, and culture.

Drive by the former residence of Bishop Desmond Tutu and visit Nelson Mandela’s former home. Continue to the Apartheid Museum, where you will journey through the racial segregation experienced by millions of South Africans.

This evening, enjoy dinner with your tour manager and fellow travellers.

Overnight: Johannesburg

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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DAY 12 - Fly to Victoria Falls* & Sundowner Cruise

Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to picturesque and thundering Victoria Falls – a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Falls are a little over a mile wide and 351 feet high, making them one-and-a half times as wide and twice as high as Niagara Falls. Here, you can still encounter herds of buffalos and elephants on their way to the Zambezi River. Transfer to your hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

This afternoon, enjoy a sublime sundowner cruise on the broad sweep of the mighty Zambezi River and enjoy the majestic colours of the sunset.

Overnight: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Meals: Breakfast

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DAY 13 - Guided Tour of Victoria Falls

This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The walking safari takes you through the magnificent rainforest to view the Cataracts, Livingstone’s statue and a wide variety of birds and flora. The rest of the day is free for you to discover this beautiful area independently.

Overnight: Victoria Falls , Zimbabwe

Meals: Breakfast

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DAY 14 - Depart South Africa for overnight flight to Cairo

This morning transfer to the airport. Fly to Johannesburg and connect to your international departure flight to Cairo.

Overnight: Flight

Meals: Breakfast

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DAY 15 – Cairo

Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be met by a travel representative in Egypt and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: Cairo

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DAY 16 – Pyramids & Museum in Cairo

After breakfast, your private Egyptologist tour guide and driver will pick you up to begin your tour. Drive to Giza and visit the Pyramids. See the Great Pyramid - a magnificent royal burial chamber - and the Sphinx. Enjoy lunch along the way.

Visit the Egyptian Museum which is home to a magnificent collection of Pharaonic antiquities, especially the golden treasures of Tut Ankh Amun.

Overnight: Cairo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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Day 17 – Luxor: Karnak & Luxor Temple

This morning you will be transferred from your hotel in Cairo to the airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor, our representative will pick up you for embarkation on your Nile Cruise. Visit the great Luxor Temple and the magnificent Karnak Temple of Amun with its famous Hypostyle Hall and the 134 huge columns, the Statue of Ramses II, the Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut and the Sacred Lake.

Airline is either Egypt Air or Nile Air – includes 23kg checked baggage and 7kg of carry on baggage.

Overnight: Cruise - Luxor

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 18 – West Bank in Luxor

In the morning your sightseeing in Luxor includes the West Bank (Thebes) where some of the richest treasures in the world exists, including the Tomb of Tut Ankh Amun (optional) and other royal tombs including Ramses VI in the Valley of the Kings. Visit Hatshepsut funerary temple at Dier El Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. Then transfer back to your cruise for lunch.

In the afternoon you will sail through the locks of Esna to Edfu followed by dinner aboard the cruise.

Overnight: Cruise - Luxor

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 19 –Edfu & Kom-Ombo

In the morning, Sail to Edfu, visit Edfu temple, then sail to Kom Ombo, where you will visit the Sobek Temple - dedicated to the two gods, which offers beautiful murals and reliefs. Sail to Aswan for the night.

Overnight: Cruise - Aswan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 20 –High Dam, Philae temple & Felucca

After breakfast you will visit the High Dam, and Philae Temple. In the afternoon you will sail on an Egyptian felucca around Elephantine Island, visit the botanical gardens on Kitchener Island and the Agha Khan Mausoleum.

Overnight: Cruise - Aswan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 21 - Aswan - Free day at leisure

After breakfast, today is a free day for you to explore Aswan at your leisure.

Overnight: Cruise - Aswan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 22 – Aswan, Kom Ombo & Edfu

After breakfast, sail to Kom Ombo followed by Edu.

Overnight: Cruise - Edfu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 23 – Edfu, Esna & Luxor

After breakfast, sail to Esna. In the afternoon, sail to Luxor.

Overnight: Cruise - Luxor

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 24 – Luxor & Cairo

After breakfast, disembark from the ship. Transfer to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo, then transfer for your final departure back to Australia.

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 25: Arrive Australia

Arrive home in Australia